Conemaugh Miners Medical Center Hosts Students

Conemaugh Miners Medical Center hosted a panel discussion for students from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School at its facilities in Hastings in honor of National Patient Safety Week. The panel was arranged by The Challenge Program, Inc., a local nonprofit that builds sustainable business/education partnerships while introducing students to careers in their communities.

Upon arrival to the hospital, Bishop Carroll students were greeted by Bill Crowe, President of Conemaugh Miners Medical Center, and Anna M.  Anna, Director of Nursing.  The hospital is owned by Duke LifePoint Healthcare. Students were encouraged to share their future career plans with senior management staff and to ask questions about the healthcare industry.

Crowe, in turn, introduced the students to the wide range of job opportunities available at the hospital, including industries that students may not commonly associate with it, such as legal counsel, engineering, computer/IT and education.

In honor of National Patient Safety Week, each department at the hospital also created posters to demonstrate to students how safety pertains to their job.  Interested students perused the housekeeping department’s informational display on germs, the nutrition department’s display on food allergy safety and the radiology department’s display on radiation safety, among others.

The panel discussion and departmental posters were a great way to highlight careers in healthcare that students might not have ever heard of,” noted Sara Deyarmin, Manager of Program Development with The Challenge Program, Inc. “Students began to recognize that each department—from housekeeping and nutrition to IT and engineering—is integral to the operation of the hospital.”

The visit was made possible through the business/educational partnership formed by The Challenge Program, Inc.  As a partner to The Challenge Program, Inc., Conemaugh Miners Medical Center visits Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in the fall to host a school-wide, kick-off assembly.

Participating businesses and schools are then encouraged to engage in workforce connection activities throughout the school year. The list of available activities includes facility tours, classroom visits, job shadowing, internships and panel discussions like the one hosted by Conemaugh Miners Medical Center.